In this course, students develop communication skills (listening and speaking) in English while discussing real-life problems and events. Available units include honesty, technology, medical questions, money, media, idiomatic expressions and slang.

Teaching approach:

This course has a strong focus in developing topics which the students find interesting and applicable. While the coursework has an outline, there is some flexibility to the topics to keep students engaged and motivated. Outside sources included YouTube and Facebook are prominent in developing the context of this course.

Dana Marlin

City / Country of origin: Chicago, USA

Mother language: English

Spoken languages: English, Portuguese

ABOUT THE TEACHER

I have left the terrible snow and business of Chicago to be back where I belong, in Rio de Janeiro. My first experience with the cidade maravilhosa was in 2012 when I was studying Brazilian culture and Portuguese. That was also my first time teaching English as a Second Language. Teaching English is such a dynamic experience. Learning all the nuances of the language and trying to pass these along across different cultures makes every class fresh and exciting. Of course, I have been blessed to have amazing students who have come from different backgrounds and with different motivations for studying English. When I am not teaching, I enjoy visting art museums, cooking, and walking around the city.

TEACHER EDUCATION

IDELT TESOL certification, Bridge TEFL, January 2016.

TEACHER EXPERIENCE

English as a Second Language, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
I taught adult learners will levels ranging from pre-intermediate to advanced.

English as a Second Language, Cabritos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
I taught pre-teen and adult learners. These classes focused as a supplementary course. Students were generally intermediate to advanced.